The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-02-17
MINNESOTA FARMERS ALLIANCE.
ing The New Oflcers-The Resolutions That
Form the Basis OF the Alliance Platform for


not SO large as usual. The sessions were
prolonged several days. and great deal
OF time was given to the discussion OF pend
ing legislation and other measures for the
benefit of the farmers. 1t is impossible
BILE to present any thing more than an alb
stract OF the proceedings as the debates
would occupy a dozen columns.
President Sprague occupied the chair,
and on motion appointed the following
committee on credentials:
j. Diamond, Blue Earth county; w. H.
Brewster Grant county; A. A. Osborne.
Dakota county; j. Barnard, Pipestone
county; j. j. Bowling, Chicago county.
The report OF the executive committee
was received. 1t showed that for the year
ending Feb. l. 1887, the total number of
charters granted was 1872; county alliances
formed, II; total number of new organi.
cations. 294. The report of the treasurer
showed the cash on hama Feb. "a, 1856,
$93.23; received for charters, S350.85;
dues received, S46.S5; sundry receipts,
$13.S5; total receipts, S1,O1O.7s. Ex-
penditures: Printing, s3O5.5S; postage
$94.5O; travelling expenses OF members OF
executive committee, $36O.17; clerk hire,
penses, S33. 15; total expenses 81 ,O33.S5.
1t was voted that the report of the exec
utive committee be printed.
committee OF seven on constitution was
appointed as follows:
George w. Haigh, Reuben Rarick. w. j.
Botkin, J. n. Jones, w. 2. Armstrong,
George w. Sprague.
The committee on resolutions appointed
was as follows, by districts:
Flrst-J. j. Furlong, j. j. Carson.
Second-J. F. Shoemaker, +. A. Cosgrove
.sr,1 n1vr hr,, ,sof
Fourth--John Irwin, s. NJ. Powell
Fifth. H. Barrett, c. w. Blandenburg
At Large-Charles Coming, j. NJ. Shields,
H. Mattson.
The Hon. d. E. Meyers was then intro.
duced and delivered an address.
State Lecturer Hodgson reviewed the
things which had led up to the present
movement OF the farmers.
A resolution was adopted that the ex.
ecutive committee OF the alliance be eni-
powered to treat with committee from
the Knights of Labor. the two forming
joint committee OF conference, the pleasant
relations hitherto existing between the
two organizations to continue. Members
OF the Knights OF Labor were present and
addressed the meeting.
The report OF the committee on constitu-
tion was submitted and read, and as but
one immaterial change had been made
motion was adopted to pass the report as
whole by a viva voce vote, The change
referred to places the per capita tax OF
members at 30 cents per annum instead
of so cents.
On motion OF Hugh Campbell the by
laws were adopted without being read
they having been reported back by the
committee without change.
Gov. McGill was introduced and made
few remarks.
President Sprague declined reelection
and nominated Gen. Barrett, who thanked
the convention for the confidence which
the members had shown him.
Eric Olson OF Martin county was elect
ed Secretary.
On motion OF Mr.. Donnelly the secretary
was instructed to cast the ballot for Hon.
Charles Canning OF Norman county for
vice president at large.
H. E. Boen OF Otter Tail county was
chosen corresponding secretary without
opposition, and the election OF Jo ohm Dia-
mond of Blue Earth county as treasurer
was made unanimously on motion OF Mr.
Donnelly, who urged that a Democrat be
given position in the executive board.
Vice presidents by congressional dis-
tricts, elected by the district alliance, were
reported as follows:
First District-J. j. Furlong, Mower
county.
Second District-Capt. G. W. Haigh, Blue
Earth county.
Third District-F. L. Nichols, Mcleod
county.
Fourth District-Andrew Richmond,
Washington county.
Fifth District-E. H, Atwood, Stearns
county.
j. A. Jones of breckenridge was nominat-
ed as state lecturer, but he refused to a..
h l, ~
Hodgeson OF Grant county was re- elected
by a unanimous vote.
summary OF the resolutions adopted is
as follows:
THE PLATFORM CONDENSED.
We reiterate the sentimentssas forth one
year ago in our declaration OF rights.
Thanks are extended to Speaker Merriam
and Lieut.. Gov. Rice for their fair and lust
appointment OF the committees OF the pyas-
ent legislature. The legislative reforms of
the past three years are tho Lest evidence
that the alliance has not existed in vain,
There shall be at least three local grain in-
spectors elected by county commissioners,
in each county in the state In which more
than 100, 900 hushels Of grain arc raised
Annual sessions Of the legislature are de-
manded. Only those who prey on the people
are interested in preventing the people from
assembling annually to make their laws
The so-called protective tariff should be
revised in the interest OF the consur,as, q
large reduction is demanded qf she duties
on woolen goods, agricultural implements,
binding twine, and manufactured lumber
All railroads in the state should he com,
PEELED to put in track scales at any station
handling or shipping moro than $4,000
bushels of grain, Warehouses should be re-
quired to guarantee weights and grades
and have it so stated on all tickets issued
by parties owning or controlling the same
The alliance endorses the sentimsas OF
Prot Kiehle that county srpa.intendents
should be selected because 81 their fitness,
but protest against any bill taking the cleo
ticI oi she esuperintendents out OF the han,is
OF the people. Ordinary country elevators
should not be bonded, suei, honding being
a scheme to, pernetuate monopoly. Tho
wheat receipt is y delusion and 8 snarc.
not equivalent to the wheat Ia eight, and
Is club in the hands ai spectators to
depress prices, The railway commission,
ers and all their suborslnates should be
appointed Tor fitness and not topay polit.
ical debts. To appoint or depose any
member of the grain forcef or theirneliticSt
principles is demoralizing to the pub
lie service. We call upon the legislature to
inquire into tho Feasons for the inability
al tho railroad companies to furnish cars
to shippers from side tracks, and ask for
an Investigation as to the so-called wheat
blockade. Whenever a railway company
is unabl 9 to furnish all the cara applied
for at any station, the number
punished shall 30 divided equally
among the applicants at such station, re-
gard,eaa at Tho number applied for. yAe
present system of collecting statistics OF
farm products works iniurY so the interests
OF the farmers: We ask Tor its abolition.
The tax law aAsui q be, revised. The. pen
nlties sar non. payment OF taxes ovsht not
10 be more than per cent. psN month be-
Ipre and after sale. A sax receipt shoula
BE 'prima facie sviSAenca that the tax has
Been paid. Corporate Moperty should
Is es5saf its eanal share af the public burdens.
It would be q wise and judicious measure
10 entirely separate the agricultural col
lego from the state university and es.ab.
sh an institution second to zone In the
country, where the study OF agricul-
ture should sasm part OF the
course. We are satisfied with the
srasn law as 1t stands. The communication
With Duluth from all parts OF the, state
should be unobstructeS, Fees for. loadinc
sheat through SSantry elevators onpht
iot to eXx1ssa three.foprtha OF q cont Der
,t,sYAhek fqr cleaning and loading not more